Our Church Family

Our family of the week is Brad, Dawna & Natasha Larson. Please keep them in your prayers this week.

Albert De Waal was admitted to the Ponoka Hospital this week. We pray for God’s gracious presence to strengthen and encourage at this time.

We have celebrated some significant birthdays over the past couple of months and we thank God for His faithfulness among us. We give Him thanks for the years that He blesses His children with. Flowers will be brought to some of our members who have enjoyed the gift of many birthdays.

Congratulations to Jake Prins with his 83rd birthday this coming Saturday, July 18th. May God bless you with a special day of celebration!

Bethel News

Next Sunday, July 19th

Is our combined Lacombe Ministerial service at Michener Park starting at 9:30. Come for the Pancake breakfast at 8:00 and stay for the picnic and games after the service. Bring your own lawn chair. Our regular evening service will be led by the Youth Praise team with a theme of “God’s Leading”, based on Acts 16:6-15 as many of our youth seek to find their place in God’s plan. There are road blocks and detours. Pastor Mike will lead the services.

Lacombe Days Volunteers

Are needed for games for various age groups for Sunday, July 19th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Lacombe Days “Tim-br Mart Family Picnic’. Please sign up on the sheet in the foyer if you can help out.

Bethel Youth News

Young Adults

you are invited to a BBQ at the home of John & Wendy Taekema today, July 12th at 1 p.m. Bring your friends, a salad or dessert and your lawn chairs and enjoy a time of fun & fellowship…come play beach volleyball, badminton, croquet, bocce ball, horse shoes or just hang out rain or shine. See directions on the poster on the bulletin board or the Newsletter notice.

Summer Series Challenge (SSC)

Young People (YP) and Young Adults (YA) are tied in their Summer Series Challenge (SSC). Everyone is wondering WWW – (who will win) – tonight’s baseball game. Check it out right after the evening service.

Junior Youth

Will meet on Friday, July 17th at Andrew & Carina Tenbrinke’s for a campfire & games. Please meet there at 7 p.m. and be picked up at 9:30 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring lawn chairs as well as a snack & drinks to share. Hot dogs & Smores will be provided. Feel free to invite your friends. For more info, call Carina at 403-782-7903.

Announcements

Rehoboth Camp

Is looking for 12 individuals to serve as counselors for our Independent Week of Camp, July 18 - 24. We are also looking for 2 volunteers to help cook in the kitchen for Youth Week, July 25 - 31. If you are 18+ and would be interested in serving Rehoboth as a volunteer, please contact Linda Rosendal at 780-968-8483, 780-963-4044 or email linda.rosendal@rehoboth.ab.ca – Thank you!

The Persecuted Church

Pakistan

Christians in the village of Bahmaniwala in Punjab province, Pakistan, were attacked by Muslims on June 30th after a believer allegedly committed blasphemy against Islam. When Sardar Masih (38) and his son were returning home on their tractor on June 29th, they asked a reportedly intoxicated Muslim man and his nephew to move their motorbikes which were blocking the road. Enraged that a Christian gave them an order, the two grabbed Masih and began to beat him. Later that evening, a group of 15-20 Muslims attacked Masih's family and damaged his home. His tractor was ruined and his brothers sustained serious hatchet wounds. The Muslim man filed a report with local police and told a Muslim religious leader that Masih had blasphemed. The next day, a Muslim cleric used the local mosque's loudspeaker to call Muslims to attack Christians. That evening, more than 500 Muslims looted and damaged over 100 homes, burned vehicles and attacked believers. Electricity and water supplies were also cut off. Dozens were injured, including women and children who were reportedly sprayed with acid. One of the women who was beaten miscarried. Muslims have registered blasphemy cases against 11 believers. Ask God to enable Christians in Bahmaniwala to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4). Pray that persecutors throughout Pakistan will be challenged by the consistent testimony of Christ's followers and be drawn to Him.

Denominational News

WHAT’S ON YOUR SUMMER READING LIST?

Diaconal Ministries Canada wants to get you reading about justice – to equip you to walk with vulnerable people in your community, to better understand the challenges they might face, and to advocate for change. Check out our new resources at www.diaconalministries.com by clicking on “Diaconal Ministry” then “Justice.”